Here’s a clear, practical guide to setting up award-flight alerts so you know when saver/award space opens on the routes and dates you want.

1. Decide what you want to track

• Route(s): origin → destination (include nearby airports if flexible).
• Date range: exact dates, a window (e.g., Mar 1–10), or “anytime within months X–Y.”
• Cabin: economy, premium economy, business, first.
• Inventory type: specific award program or award class (e.g., “saver” space).
• Number of seats you need.

2. Use the airlines’ own tools (free, best for program-specific awards)

• Log in to the frequent‑flyer account for the program you’ll book.
• Search your route and dates and save the search / sign up for alerts if the airline offers it (some do via email or app push).
• If the airline doesn’t offer alerts, routinely repeat searches or use methods below.

3. Use free web tools and alerts

• Google Flights: good for paid fares but not for award inventory; useful if you’re flexible and want price trends (not award seats).
• Free flight trackers / alert services (varies by region). They typically send email or push notifications when award space or cash fares change. (Search for “award seat alerts [country]” to find current services.)

4. Use paid/professional award-alert services (best reliability & specificity)

• Examples: ExpertFlyer (paid; good for searching award inventory and setting alerts for specific fare buckets), and a few award-focused trackers/services that monitor partner inventory.
• How to use them: create an account, set a route/date/cabin alert for the exact award fare bucket or class, choose notification method (email/push), and enable repeat alerts. Paid services let you monitor many routes and often include calendar views of availability.

5. Use multi-program / aggregator tools

• Award aggregators monitor many partner airlines and show availability across programs. These make it easier to spot the same award seat that different programs can book. (Many are paid or have limited free features.)

6. Automations and custom alerts

• IFTTT / Zapier + email: if you get email alerts from airline or a tracker, create an IFTTT/Zapier rule to forward/relay to SMS, Slack, or a mobile push service.
• Browser extensions or scripts: some users run web-scrapers on airline award pages and trigger notifications—this requires technical skill and may violate terms of service.

7. Set alert parameters and notification preferences

• Be specific with route, dates, cabin, and seat count. If you’re flexible, ask for a wider date range and nearby airports.
• Choose notification channels you’ll see immediately: SMS or push notifications are best for time-sensitive award space. Email is OK but slower.
• Set repetition: get an immediate alert plus daily summary if available.

8. Monitor partner airlines and transfer partners

• Many awards are bookable through transfer partners (e.g., a Star Alliance partner). Track availability in both the operating carrier and the partner programs that can ticket it—sometimes space shows in one program first.

9. Practical booking tips after alert

• Be ready to book immediately (have points/miles accessible, know the phone number if an award must be ticketed by phone).
• Check the partner program that charges the fewest miles/fees to book the available seat.
• If the seat disappears, call the airline immediately—sometimes agents can re-open space or explain alternatives.

10. Avoid false positives and verify

• When an alert triggers, immediately verify the space in the booking engine of the airline or program you’ll use. Alerts can be delayed or show space that’s not ticketable by your program.

11. Additional strategies

• Set multiple alerts (same route via different programs/services) to increase chance of catching openings.
• Watch for schedule changes and cancellations—those can release award seats.
• Use award calendars (many airlines show monthly calendars of availability) to spot patterns.

Quick example setup (using ExpertFlyer-style service):

1. Create account and log in.
2. New alert → enter origin: JFK, destination: LHR, cabin: business, date window: Mar 1–31, seats: 2.
3. Select fare bucket(s) or award class (e.g., “I” or “Z” depending on carrier) or choose “award availability.”
4. Notification: SMS + email, repeat: daily (or immediate). Save.

If you tell me which route, dates, cabin, and which award program(s) you care about, I can recommend the best specific services and give step‑by‑step instructions for those tools.